After Valentina Shevchenko’s anticipated debut in the women’s flyweight division, the one thing everyone had on their mind came into reality: The Bullet is a serious problem for this new division. She put on just about the most dominant performance you can imagine against Priscila Cachoeira at UFC Belem, then immediately called out women’s flyweight champion crowned from The Ultimate Fighter 26, Nicco Montano. That wasn’t the only message she had for her new division’s belt holder. Sooner or later, they’ll have to fight. There is no escaping it.

“You know, my time out is such a little bit. I just need a little time to recover me from my last preparation. To recover my mental energy, my physical energy and I’m ready. I’m ready to fight anytime, anywhere, and I hope that [Nicco Montano] will be like a champion and agree to fight as soon as she can and we will [fight for the UFC women’s flyweight title] this next time. I think [to return in] March is a little bit early, but let’s see, let’s wait a call from UFC. You know, I don’t think that [Montano] can be injured forever.”

“I know that she already starting her recuperation and it will not take too much time. She cannot be injured forever. Let’s fight. I hope that soon she will break her silence and say something. From my side I took this fight [with Priscila Cachoeira] just only because I didn’t want to wait forever because I’m a fighter and I have to feel this spirit and adrenaline of the fight. That’s why I decided to take this fight early this year. To have a title fight maybe like few months later.” — Valentina Shevchenko speaking to BJ PENN’s own Jason Kindschy.

Just days after earning the belt against veteran Roxanne Modaferri, Nicco Montano announced her injury and she’d be getting surgery on her foot. We haven’t seen or heard pretty much anything from the very first women’s flyweight and Native American champ since December. No word on her return, but whenever she comes back, a very motivated Valentina Shevchenko is ready and waiting for the shot that Dana White has said is imminent.

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